2011 Golden Slipper to be Run on Dead Track

April 1st, 2011

With the skies in Sydney continuing to clear ahead of Saturday’s $3.5 million Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill it looks as if all 16 horses in the 2011 Golden Slipper field will get their chance as the world’s richest two-year-olds race will likely be run on a Dead track.

Earlier in the week showers had connections and punters concerned that this year’s Golden Slipper would be a wet one, but the latest weather forecast has clear and windy weather predicted for Rosehill Racecourse tomorrow.

The wind should see the track dry out to a low-grade Dead rating by Rosehill Race 7, the Golden Slipper, at 4:05pm (AEDST) on Saturday.

As short as $2 in the ante-post markets, having been defeated by fellow Slipper rival Smart Missile in the Todman Stakes on Guineas Day last start and drawing wider with gate 10 for tomorrow, Sepoy has eased out to $3.60 to become the 2011 Golden Slipper winner.

The Blue Diamond Stakes winner’s sole defeat came on a Dead track.

However, in the Todman Stakes the rain was coming down at the time of the race.

Prior to that with sunny skies Sepoy won three other starts on Dead ground, so expect odds on the favourite to firm as the weather brightens leading up to tomorrow’s showdown.

The only horse in the Golden Slipper field to have conquered Sepoy, Anthony Cummings’ Fastnet Rock colt Smart Missile is the $4.40 second favourite after drawing well with barrier five.

Smart Missile has had two starts for two wins, both on Dead ground.

Bookmakers around the country have also seen some money come in for Clarry Conner’s filly Satin Shoes now at equal $11 odds with the John O’Shea-trained Elite Falls.

One-time second favourite behind Sepoy for the Slipper, Satin Shoes also remained unbeaten until Rosehill Guineas Day when Elite Falls managed an upset in the Reisling Stakes.

Elite Falls firmed in her Golden Slipper price earlier in the week despite her wide barrier 16 draw being one of the only hopefuls to have run and won on Heavy ground.

Her price has eased, however, as has the chance of more rain.

There has also has been interest for the Gai Waterhouse-trained Shared Reflections in from $18 to $15 to claim an upset Golden Slipper result.

The Umatilla filly took her record to two wins from three starts with a good one length success in the Group 3 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m).

In the Golden Slipper Shared Reflections has drawn ideally in barrier six and will be ridden by Damien Oliver.

Waterhouse is seeking her third victory in the famous juveniles’ feature having trained Golden Slipper winners Ha Ha (2001), Dance Hero (2004) and Sebring (2008).